If you have lived through a winter in Maryland, you may have noticed that all winter storms are not created equal. The same storm that produces 5 inches of snow in Carroll County may only produce 1 inch of snow in the city of Baltimore.

To better warn the areas that will be impacted the most, the National Weather Service will issue winter weather watches, warnings and advisories that target specific geographic locations.

Starting Dec. 3, the weather service will subdivide several counties in the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas, along with Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia, to warn specific areas within those counties.

For example, instead of issuing an area-wide winter storm warning for Harford County, the weather service may only issue the warning for the northern zone if it believes that area will get hit harder. To be more specific, Bel Air (north) may be included in the warning, but Bel Air (south) and Havre de Grace would not if those areas will not get as much snow or hazardous weather. If needed, those areas will receive a separate watch or advisory.

Counties in the metro Baltimore and Washington areas that will be impacted include Howard, Baltimore, Harford, Montgomery and Loudoun.

These changes will not impact flash flooding, severe thunderstorm or tornado warnings.